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This page Links Invasive Decapod Monitoring Project Centralized Data Management Office (CDMO) National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) Research Coordinator
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A comprehensive research program, ranging from studies of molecular processes to ecological landscapes has evolved here at the Reserve. The primary focus of the research program is the NERR system-wide monitoring program. The NIWB NERR has four monitoring sites: Clambank Creek, Debidue Creek, Oyster Landing, and Thousand Acre.
NERR System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) SWMP was designed at the national level of the Reserve system to fulfill two major overall goals: (1) to support state-specific non-point source pollution control programs by establishing local networks of continuous water quality monitoring stations in representative protected estuarine ecosystems; and (2) to develop a nation-wide database on baseline environmental conditions in the NERR system of estuaries.
The specific goal of the SWMP is "to identify and track short-term variability and long-term changes in the integrity and biodiversity of representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds for the purpose of contributing to effective national, regional, and site specific coastal zone management."
Meteorological The principal objective of the long-term meteorological monitoring program for the NIWB NERR is to observe any environmental changes or trends over time. The weather station is located at the end of Oyster Landing (OL) pier. A Wind sensor, Temperature and Humidity sensor, Barometric Pressure sensor, Eppley Pyranometer, Tipping Bucket Rain gauge, and a LiCor Sensor all are located on an aluminum tower at a height of approximately 3.5 meters. Sensors are wired into a Campbell Scientific CR10X data logger. Samples are taken every 5 seconds continuously throughout the year, producing an average of 15 minute, hourly, daily data. The data is used to compliment other biological, chemical, or physical research conducted throughout the reserve, including YSI water quality data.
Water Quality The principal objective of the long-term water quality monitoring program for the NIWB NERR is to observe any physical changes or trends in water quality over time. Four sites were chosen; two to represent the relatively pristine conditions in North Inlet, and the other two to represent impacted sites within the reserve boundary. Measurements are recorded every 30 minutes with a YSI 6600 EDS data logger. The parameters measured are specific conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, turbidity, and water level. These parameters are important indicators of habitat quality for numerous estuarine species and to determine health criteria and human uses. Biofouling of the individual probes and expected battery life necessitate a two-week sampling interval.
Nutrients The NIWB NERR 20 day water chemistry database was initiated in June of 1993 to monitor nutrients in the North Inlet Estuary system. This monitoring program combines the water chemistry, chlorophyll a, and suspended sediment monitoring data with other existing ecological data to provide ecosystem level information and understanding.
Monthly grab samples were initiated across the NERRS platform on February 1, 2001 as a method of providing baseline information on inorganic nutrient and chlorophyll a water quality status within the Reserve system. The NIWB NERR began collecting monthly grab samples on April 17, 2002. Samples for the 20 day program and the monthly grabs are collected at each of the four NERR water-quality monitoring stations.
Other Research Program Activities
Biological Sampling (fauna/OI) More than 100 species of animals are known in the North Inlet area. A monitoring program provides regular information on the abundance, biomass, and size distributions of hundreds of intertidal and subtidal organisms.
National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) The NADP/National Trends Network is a nationwide network of precipitation monitoring sites. The network is a cooperative effort between many different groups, including the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and numerous other governmental and private entities.
The purpose of the network is to collect data on the chemistry of precipitation for monitoring of geographical and temporal long-term trends. The precipitation at each station is collected weekly according to strict clean-handling procedures. It is then sent to the Central Analytical Laboratory where it is analyzed for hydrogen (acidity as pH), sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride, and base cations (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium).
The Clambank Creek monitoring site is located roughly in the center of the reserve boundary. This site is surrounded by a Spartina marsh and drains associated forested uplands. Salinity ranges from 0.4 to full strength seawater (based on data from August-December 2001). The bottom is mostly comprised of oyster shell hash and some fine sediment. This site is considered a pristine site and is influenced by its close proximity to North Inlet.
The Debidue Creek monitoring site is considered to be an impacted site, located approximately 1 km south of the DeBordieu Colony. The Colony is a large residential development built around wetlands and man-made canals that directly drain into the northern portion of Debidue Creek. The DC site is located in an ocean-dominated Spartina marsh that was formerly surrounded by pine uplands. Salinity can range from 0 to full strength seawater and the average tidal flux is approximately 2 meters. The approximate depth and width at MHW is 2.2m and 70m respectively. The bottom is mostly comprised of oyster shell hash with some fine sediment and detritus.
The OL meteorological and water quality monitoring site, located at the end of the pier, is considered a fairly pristine and undisturbed area. The pier stretches into the upper reaches of Crabhaul Creek in the mid-western portion of North Inlet. The sampling site is located approximately 2.8km from the headwaters of Crabhaul Creek. The creek directly drains pine forested uplands and wetlands. Salinity can range from 0-32 ppt. and average tidal flux is approximately 1.4m. The creek has an average depth of ~2m MHW and an average width of ~150m at MHW. The bottom is comprised mostly of oyster shell hash with some fine sediment and detritus.
The present site is about 15m from the mouth of the creek. At the sampling site, creek depth is approximately 2m MHW and creek width is approximately 10m. The creek empties into the northeastern side of the mid portion of Winyah Bay and directly drains pine forested upland and wetlands. Salinity ranges from 0 to 15 ppt. and tidal flux is approximately 1m. The bottom is mostly composed of fine sediments and detritus. Georgetown, 5km upstream from the Thousand Acre site and on the southern side of Winyah Bay, is the home to a number of heavy industries including a steel plant, paper mill, chemical plant, and a coal fired power plant. A public sewage treatment plant, which discharges into the bay, is also located in Georgetown.
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North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR Mail: PO Box 1630, Georgetown, SC 29442 Ship: Hobcaw Barony, Hwy 17N, Georgetown, SC 29440 T: 843.546.6219 F: 843.546.1632 |
